Hamilton heating up using lighter bat

OAKLAND -- Josh Hamilton switched to a slightly lighter bat after taking a couple of days off on Sunday and Monday. And though Angels manager Mike Scioscia wouldn't reveal specifics on the weight and called it "no big deal," it just so happens to coincide with the start of what could be a nice run for the veteran cleanup hitter.

Hamilton entered Saturday's matchup against Jon Lester 4-for-12 with five RBIs since being reinserted into the lineup on Tuesday. He's worked deep counts to draw two walks, has notched three of his hits to the opposite field, has lined out hard twice, hit a sacrifice fly that almost left Fenway Park on Wednesday and homered to right field on Saturday.

"It looks like he's really seeing the ball better," Scioscia said. "There's some walks that he's taking, some pitches he's laying off. And I think as a result of that, he's getting some better pitches to hit."